During a Monday afternoon update, Dr. Beth Rupp of the Indiana University Health Center stepped to the podium to discuss 19 confirmed cases since Feb. 12.

Common symptoms of mumps include a puffy jaw because of swollen and tender glands under the ears, as well as fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite.(Photo: Getty Images/Wavebreak Media)

The outbreak is moving so quickly that Rupp said she was informed of the 20th case just moments before addressing the public.

Support our journalism

Rupp said of the original 19 cases, 16 students have recovered while three remain in isolation. None of those confirmed cases have reported any major medical complications.

Two of the sick students are international students, and seven of the students live on campus.

Rupp also said that there were at least three pending cases and more testing to be done among students who have either shown symptoms or made contact with a confirmed case. Among the pending cases, there was one student who was also suffering from orchitis, which is the inflammation of one or both testicles.

Most of the sick students were vaccinated, Rupp said. She explained that even with two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, it is still possible to get sick.

Graham McKeen, Public Health Manager for IU, said one dose provides students about 78% protection from the mumps, and two doses provides 88% protection. As far as the number of students on campus who aren't vaccinated, he said a "handful" have submitted religious exemptions.

While the number of cases has risen rapidly this spring, it still hasn't matched previous outbreaks. In 2016, IU had 74 confirmed cases, followed by 17 cases in 2017.

"We do expect more cases," Rupp said. "We do want students to know if they have symptoms, they should isolate themselves and give our office a call."

McKeen said two doses of MMR is still considered the best protection against the illness. Officials also continue to stress practice good hygiene habits like regular hand washing. Students should also limit how much they share drinks or eating utensils.

In a previous update, university officials said a large number of cases were associated with a single fraternity. Rupp said the fraternity is not being named for a number of reasons, including not wanting to create a false sense of security among the student body.

The idea, Rupp said, is that students who have no connection to an impacted frat or dorm will feel as if they in the clear. But she wants every student to be cautious.

"You have a lot of young people living in a lot of small areas where a lot of germs of spread," Rupp said. "Those are all factors, and that is why we tend to see it on college campuses."

People with mumps are infectious from two days before until five days after the onset of symptoms, the university has said. Symptoms of mumps include fever, muscle aches, headache and loss of appetite and generally last two or more days.

Anyone who thinks they may have the mumps should avoid contact with others and seek care immediately.